Can family access a deceased person’s Apple or iCloud account?

Possibly, but there is a process.

Apple has a process for requesting access to a deceased person’s account data. This may be especially important if the family is trying to access photos, videos, documents, or other information stored in iCloud.

The process is not always simple, and Apple may require documentation. Planning ahead with legacy contacts and password management can make this much easier.

*Reviewed by Estate Planning Attorney Casey Connealy, Partner at Gaughan & Connealy Estate Planning Attorneys on June 23, 2026.